Well, it’s (as usual) been busy around here.  At the present, we are cycling through some nasty sort of virus (which all the news reports have this paranoid momma sure is the swine flu. Ahhhh!) that is causing sore throat, coughing and fevers of 102+.  A.M. is the lastest to come down with it.  I just had to wake her to giver her some Ibuprofen because she was so hot.  As soon as she opened her eyes, the cough started which led to a nebulizer treatment because she was wheezing.   J.R. was the leader this time.  He actually had to be seen by our pediatrician because he was drawing in around his ribs while having rapid, shallow breathing.    He would start coughing continously without being able to catch a breat.  He seems to be on the mend after 3 days of steroids and neb treatments though he’s still somewhat rattly and wheezy when he breaths.  B.M. seems to have gotten off easy with a sore throat that woke her about 1:30 am Thursday right after I got J.R. to sleep.  She’s pretty much over all of that, thankfully.  However, we found out some news 2 weeks ago–she was diagnosed with Juvenile Rheumatoid Arthritis.  After being sick with a respiratory infection the week before, she was sore in her joints but it kept changing locations.  Her chest was constantly hurting, so we took her in to get checked out, dr had labs galore done.  Found she is ANA positive and with her history he made the diagnosis. Thing is, he can’t rule out (or in) another autoimmune disorder because she doesn’t “fit the bill” for any specific one just yet.  We’ll be keeping an eye out for other symptoms that point to SLE because her symptoms go along with that more than the other disorders.  For now she is on Ibuprofen 3x’s a day.  Whenever we feel that isn’t working, the dr will refer us to the Rheumatologist for further evaluation and stronger meds.  I just pray that she doesn’t have much pain to deal with.  The good news is, children can outgrow JRA.  I’m praying for that to happen.

We are getting ready for our vacation to California.  Everyone is super excited about that. I’m rounding up suitcases and clothes already. 

Saturday, April 25th, I had the great honor of sponsoring a wonderful young lady for her Confirmation.  I pray that as I walk with her on this spiritual journey I will be led by the Holy Spirit to always help and guide her in being a true witness to Christ.